1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Peach Filling:
- If using fresh peaches, peel, pit, and slice them. If using canned peaches, drain them well.
- In a large bowl, combine the peaches, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. If you prefer a thicker filling, mix in the cornstarch to help thicken the peach juices during baking. Stir well and set aside.
3. Prepare the Crust Batter:
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly stir in the milk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
- Pour the melted butter into a 9×13-inch baking dish, coating the bottom evenly.
4. Assemble the Cobbler:
- Pour the batter over the melted butter in the baking dish. Do not stir – let the butter and batter stay separated to create a light, fluffy crust.
- Spoon the peach mixture evenly over the top of the batter. The batter will rise up and form a crust as it bakes.
5. Bake:
- Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the peaches are bubbly.
- You may want to check the cobbler around the 35-minute mark to ensure the top doesn’t overbrown.
6. Cool and Serve:
- Let the peach cobbler cool slightly before serving. The juices will thicken as it cools.
- Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
This Old-Time Oven Peach Cobbler is simple yet packed with comforting flavors. The crispy, buttery crust combined with the spiced peach filling makes this dish a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion!